Overview
Job Title: Sr. Relay Technician
Position Summary:
The Senior Relay Technician serves as the technical lead for protection and control systems, responsible for advanced testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and full project execution. This role requires deep expertise in analyzing protection schemes, managing complex projects, and leading field teams while ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operation of substation and industrial (C&I) systems. The position also emphasizes customer interaction, team development, and technical leadership.
Responsibilities
Safety Leadership
- Lead job site safety briefings, proactively identifying, eliminating, or mitigating hazards.
- Enforce company safety policies and champion a strong safety culture across all field activities.
- Utilize Human Performance Error Reduction (HPE) tools to improve reliability and reduce risk.
Technical Expertise & Execution
- Analyze protection schemes for power circuits and other power system components, including transmission, distribution, and industrial systems.
- Perform installation, commissioning, testing, and functional testing of substation control circuits on relay panels, transformer change-outs, and circuit breaker replacements.
- Execute advanced end-to-end and functional testing using automated relay test equipment and software.
- Read, interpret, and validate protection and control schematics, logic diagrams, and system configurations.
- Ensure proper calibration and performance of electromechanical and microprocessor-based relays.
Troubleshooting & Analysis
- Perform complex troubleshooting of protection, control, and communication systems across a wide range of applications.
- Analyze event records, oscillography, and system data to make informed deductions and determine system performance or misoperations.
- Lead root cause analysis investigations for relay trips, failures, and system disturbances.
Project Leadership & Planning
- Develop project execution plans, commissioning procedures, outage sequences, and energization plans.
- Project manage large-scale and complex commissioning, retrofit, and maintenance projects.
- Coordinate resources, schedules, and field activities to ensure successful project completion.
Reporting & Deliverables
- Develop, review, and finalize comprehensive reports, including test results, relay settings verification, and system performance.
- Ensure completion of all project deliverables, including as-built drawings, relay settings validation, and commissioning documentation.
- Ensure all documentation meets customer and industry standards.
Team Development & Customer Interface
- Train and qualify Relay Technician I, II, and junior engineers in protection and control practices.
- Provide mentorship and technical leadership to field personnel.
- Interface directly with customers, utilities, and project stakeholders to communicate status, resolve issues, and meet expectations.
Qualifications
Required Skills/Abilities:
Preferred Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience installing, maintaining, testing, or repairing circuit breakers, transformers, switchgear, or similar equipment.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's or associate degree in electrical/Electronic technology, Military Experience, or 4-year Engineering Degree, preferred
- 5+ Years of Relevant Industry Experience
- NETA III/IV Certified, preferred
Physical Requirements:
- Able to climb ladders, stand for extended periods, able to lift 70 lbs.
